Buildout

Overview

About this program

This immersive program gives you and your family the opportunity to be involved with a local indigenous family while staying in their community. Learn about the local culture and traditions, help family members with their daily life activities or work with them to improve the community school or the park, and assist in any other needs they might have. Share precious moments that will be treasured in your family memory forever. A great family enriching experience!

Program highlights

Visit the best-preserved historical center in the Americas.

Straddle both hemispheres at once at the Middle of the World Monument.

Meet a local indigenous family and stay at their house.

Take a train ride through Andean valleys aboard a locomotive.

Participate in a "Minga," working collaboratively with community members to improve their neighborhood.

Family features

Evening family activities and interaction with local family

Child-friendly menus

Service learning activities

Child-friendly and experienced tour guides

Accommodation in a local family lodge (family house)

4 Travelers

$1,876

Land Cost

Group size

Book 4 travelers and 0 groupleaders travel for free

8 Travelers

$1,453

Land Cost

Group size

Book 8 travelers and 0 groupleaders travel for free

What makes us different

Service anytime

Enjoy worry-free travel — our emergency line is monitored 24/7/365 so we can assist you if any problems arise while you’re traveling with us

Cultural immersion

Immerse yourself in local traditions and beliefs through authentic hands-on experiences

Cultural Discovery

Put culture in context as you discover the history and traditions of your destination

Custom-tailored trips

We can customize your itinerary so that it’s the ideal match for your interests, travel dates, and budget

Support local communities

We work with local guides and organizations so your trip includes authentic cultural experiences while supporting the economy of the region

Flight arrangements

We’re a full service travel provider and are happy to assist with making your flight arrangements if desired

AND MORE!

Quito

Day 1

Welcome to Ecuador! Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Overnight at Family Quito Hotel

Quito

Day 2

Straddling hemispheres at the Middle of the world. Explore Quito, the capital of Ecuador; a charming city surrounded by mountains and volcanoes with the largest and best preserved historic center in America. Learn about the history of the city while walking along its colonial streets. Quito's superb churches store treasures of the religious art and are an amazing example of the most wonderful architecture, there is no question why UNESCO declared Quito the First World Cultural Heritage Site. In the afternoon, visit the Equator and celebrate the ability of standing at the two hemispheres at the same time. A once in a lifetime experience!! Visit the famous Middle of the World complex, built to commemorate a group of scientists who had the hard mission to determine the Earth's shape back in 1743 and to mark the point; where according to calculations used at that time, the equator line crossed. Learn important facts about the equator and confirm or dismiss related rumors that have fascinated people for centuries.

Breakfast-Lunch- included

Overnight at Family Quito Hotel

Otavalo

Day 3

Enjoy beautiful countryside landscapes on your drive from Quito to the Otavalo Area. Meet the Kichwa Otavalos, known worldwide by their wonderful work on textiles, tapestries and commerce skills. Visit the Otavalo craft market, where locals show their products and crafts for sell. Continue to San Clemente community where you will be welcomed by a Kichwa-Karanki Family. During the following days you will be introduced to the indigenous life and learn about their custom and traditions. Work together with your host family cooking for tonight's dinner. Enjoy a delicious, fresh and healthy meal based on typical ingredients. Tonight, you'll also meet other members of the community while enjoying a Cultural integration night, typical music and dance.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

Overnight at Host Family

Otavalo

Day 4

Learning about the daily life of an indigenous community
Get familiar with the community! Visit the medicinal gardens and organic orchards. Learn about the importance of cuy (guinea pig) for the indigenous philosophy as a provider of strength, good vibes; and used to diagnose illnesses. Help your host family in daily life activities; work with them in the kitchen, at the carpentry shop or help to plant or harvest products from the orchards. Many activities will be available according to your host family needs. In the afternoon enjoy a fun family activity, playing traditional games with your host family. Family dinner and overnight.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

Overnight at Host Family

Minga Community

Day 5

Participate in a Minga! Work with community members to improve their neighborhood by cleaning streets, doing paths maintenance or improving a kid's park… there are many activities you can help with while you interact with the community and learn from them! Minga is an ancient indigenous tradition based on solidarity; it means working together for a common goal to achieve a better and faster work. In the afternoon enjoy activities with your host family. By this time there are many things about their culture you have already learned, why you don't share with them some things of yours! Teach them your traditional games, dance, music or any food specialties, prepare with your family a nice presentation or cook something for your hosts; this will be a great way to thank them for their hospitality. Enjoy this last night at the community.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

Overnight at Host Family

Chota Valley

Day 6

Train ride adventure to the Chota Valley.
Enjoy a beautiful train ride on board a locomotive that will take you through beautiful Andean landscapes, tunnels, and sugarcane plantation. Arrive in Salinas's town, where you will learn about the history and customs of the Afro Ecuadorian community, enjoy their music and dance. Lunch at the restaurant handled by the local community. Continue for dessert to Ibarra city, here you will enjoy a delicious Helado de Paila (handmade ice cream from a copper pan)! Return to your host community. Enjoy a fun night of family interaction while learning some local language (kiwcha) and helping your host family to learn some basic words of yours. Enjoy Family dinner and overnight.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

Overnight at Host Family

Quito

Day 7

Enjoy breakfast at the community and take the time to say goodbye to your host family. Continue to visit the Cuicocha Lake, formed in a volcanic crater after thousands of years of intense volcanic activity. The lake is part of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve, which extension goes from the western Andean cordillera to the Pacific coast. Enjoy hiking in the area to admire the beauty of this natural environment. Continue to the town of Cotacachi famous by its woolen textiles and leather handmade products. Time for shopping. In the afternoon return to Quito. At night, transportation at your disposal to take you to a local restaurant for your Family Farewell Dinner! We will provide some nice restaurant recommendations so you can choose on your own the most appropriate place for your family to eat. (The cost of dinner is not included, paid on your own). Transportation back to the hotel.

Breakfast-Lunch- included

Overnight at Family Quito Hotel

Day 8

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home or to your next destination.

Breakfast- included

Pricing

4 Travelers

$1,876

Land Cost

Group size

Book 4 travelers and 0 groupleaders travel for free

8 Travelers

$1,453

Land Cost

Group size

Book 8 travelers and 0 groupleaders travel for free

Pricing details:

Rates are based on double occupancy for participants.

Complimentary leader accommodations are based on share occupancy; leaders of same gender are expected to share rooms.

Entry & Exit Requirements

U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a valid passport to enter Ecuador. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the date of departure.

For visits fewer than 90 days, visas will be issued upon arrival in Ecuador. Tourists may be required to provide evidence of return or onwards travel.

If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport, please check with the Embassy of Ecuador for the requirements based on your nationality.

Health Information

IMMUNIZATIONS

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before every trip.

There are no vaccinations required for entry into Ecuador.

Some physicians recommend that travelers get hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines before visiting Ecuador.

Yellow fever is a risk in certain parts of Ecuador. The CDC recommends the yellow fever vaccine if you are traveling to these areas.

MALARIA

The CDC warns that travelers to South America may be at risk for exposure to malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite found in Anopheles mosquitos, which are active from dusk until dawn. Prevention is twofold: the use of anti-malarial drugs and the prevention of insect bites. If you choose to use an anti-malarial drug, as recommended by the CDC, see your physician for a prescription.

CHIKUNGUNYA

In December 2013, French Guiana reported locally transmitted cases of chikungunya for the first time in South America. Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with chikungunya and are spreading it to people. CDC recommends that travelers to the South America area protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Zika Virus

Locally transmitted cases of Zika virus have been reported in Ecuador. Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with Zika and are spreading it to people. The CDC recommends that travelers to Ecuador protect themselves from mosquito bites. As a precaution, the CDC advises women who are pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS

Upon arrival at locations of high elevation, shortness of breath and a pounding heart are normal responses to the lack of oxygen in the air. However, for some visitors, these symptoms can deteriorate into altitude sickness. Headache, extreme tiredness, dizziness, nausea, and loss of appetite are standard symptoms. Staying hydrated and well rested is important to adjust to the altitude. Avoiding heavy, fatty foods and alcohol in the days before arriving to altitude can help. Over-the-counter medications are also available to help prevent or alleviate symptoms. It’s advisable to avoid sleep medications, as they can slow breathing and respiration, which aid in getting the blood oxygenated while sleeping. Participants who take blood pressure medications should discuss this with their doctor as the medication can drop pressure too low at times.

SUN EXPOSURE

The effects of the sun can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.

Resources

Suggested Packing List

To help you get ready for your expedition, below is a suggested packing list. You may find many of these items in our Gear Store, plus many clothing and accessory items.